John Harris

Submitted by Mt Kembla Minin... on Sat, 01/07/2017 - 14:36

First Name:

John

Last Name:

Harris

Father's Name:

John

Date Enlisted:

Wednesday, May 19, 1915

Rank at Enlistment:

Private

Rank at Discharge:

Private

Unit:

Pioneers

Company:

5th

Service:

Infantry

Awards:

1914/1915 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Date of Death:

Friday, January 6, 1967

Details:

John Harris (Service No 1702), stated he was born in Cobar, N.S.W., around 1890.

At enlistment, he was single, 25 years old, worked as a cook and listed his half brother, Aaron Morgan, of Bulli, N.S.W., as his next of kin.

John embarked on HMAT A61 Kanowna, with 19th Battalion, 2nd Reinforcement, on 19th June 1915. After arriving in Egypt, he was sent to Gallipoli, Turkey, but it is unclear if he arrived there. On 21st August 1915, in Lemnos, Greece, John was admitted to hospital with a hernia. He was discharged to duty on 28th August 1915. John was admitted to hospital again, on 15th January 1916, in Egypt, with the hernia problem.

John arrived in France, on 21st August 1916, and saw some service on the Western Front. However, most of his time was spent in hospital or under arrest. On 14th November 1917, he joined 19th Battalion, and was wounded in action on 11th April 1918. John was sent to hospital in England, for treatment from the effects of a gas attack.

On 3rd March 1919, John married Rose Jackson, in London. He returned to Australia, with his wife and child, in November 1919. John was discharged medically unfit, on 28th February 1920.

Births, Deaths & Marriages NSW, records his death in 1967, with a note, also known as John Roland.

Sources:

NAA: B2455, HARRIS J